Travel smart: Take advantage or American Airlines' new fare structure

2:34 PM,
Dec. 22, 2012

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A new American Airlines fare structure that started this month may soon be copied by other airlines.

Here's how it works: When you buy a coach ticket, you choose from three options. Choice is a regular ticket. Choice Essential is $68 more and includes round-trip checked bags (a $50 value) and no penalty for changing the ticket. Choice Plus is $88 more than Choice and includes the stuff you get with Choice Essential plus one alcoholic drink, priority boarding, stand-by privileges and a boost to your frequent flier miles.